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Toxins

Potent, effective, broad-ranging

PermaLink® enables the use of ultra-potent toxins in the design and development of effective ADCs.

Iksuda has access to multiple high-potency toxins from known and novel drug classes, each with distinct mechanism of action but all able to potently induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Currently, we have multiple toxin programmes in research and development.

Our first-wave ADC pipeline is built around payloads with DNA-interactive mechanisms.

DNA modifier programmes

DNA disruption is a well-known approach for anti-cancer drug development in general, as well as for ADC consideration. The current ADC clinical pipeline includes various DNA modifying payloads for which mechanisms include DNA cleavage, DNA intercalation (e.g. anthracyclines), DNA alkylation (duocarmycins and IGNs), DNA relegation inhibition (doxorubicin), double strand breaks (calicheamycins) and cross-linking (PBDs).

Iksuda is working with leading research institutions and innovator BioTech companies to develop the next generation of ultra-potent DNA-disruptive payloads.

CDK11 inhibitors

CDK11 inhibitors are under exclusive license from Cancer Research UK. We are working closely together to develop these toxins for ADCs focused on specific patient populations.

CDK11 plays an important role in cancer cycle control, neuronal function, RNA transcription regulation and apoptosis and is over-expressed in numerous tumours. Inhibition of CDK11 induces cell death and apoptosis. Selective targeting allows distinct specificity to tumour type.

Lead candidates have been selected from a low molecular weight, synthetically tractable series of compounds, fine-tuned for efficacy, conjugation efficiency and hydrophilicity.

Early research programmes

Iksuda is collaborating with several research institutes to explore the potential of early stage toxins with alternative and novel anti-cancer mechanisms.